The Powerful Functions of Peptide-Based Bioactive Matrices for Regenerative Medicine

Abstract

In an effort to develop bioactive matrices for regenerative medicine, peptides have been used widely to promote interactions with cells and elicit desired behaviors in vivo. This paper describes strategies that utilize peptide-based molecules as building blocks to create supramolecular nanostructures that emulate not only the architecture but also the chemistry of the extracellular matrix in mammalian biology. After initiating a desired regenerative response in vivo, the innate biodegradability of these systems allow for the natural biological processes to take over in order to promote formation of a new tissue without leaving a trace of the nonnatural components. These bioactive matrices can either bind or mimic growth factors or other protein ligands to elicit a cellular response, promote specific mechanobiological responses, and also guide the migration of cells with programmed directionality. In vivo applications discussed in this review using peptide-based matrices include the regeneration of axons after spinal cord injury, regeneration of bone, and the formation of blood vessels in ischemic muscle as a therapy in peripheral arterial disease and cardiovascular diseases.

Self-assembled peptide-based nanostructures: Smart nanomaterials toward targeted drug delivery

“…Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human extracellular matrix (ECM), interacting with cell-surface integrins for adhesion [6]. Collagen isolated from animals has been extensively used for engineering numerous tissue-mimicking scaffolds in vitro.…”

“…Self-assembling nanostructures fabricated from natural biomolecular building blocks such as amino acids are highly preferable to their synthetic self-assembled monolayer (SAMs) alternatives [4] due to their biocompatibility and ease of “bottom-up” fabrication [5]. Although several self-assembly platforms have been introduced for biomedical applications, self-assembling peptides remain the most attractive soft biomaterial option for several reasons: Peptides are easily synthesized using solid-phase methods, which allows for sequence-specific modifications at the molecular level [6]. …”

“…Peptides are easily synthesized using solid-phase methods, which allows for sequence-specific modifications at the molecular level [6]. …”

“…Custom supramolecular structures can be designed through engineering of self-assembled peptide building blocks [6]. …”

Peptide hormones and lipopeptides: from self‐assembly to therapeutic applications

“…This was due to the nanofibrils inhibiting scar formation, which helped lessen the injury 41. This is a fascinating and broad topic that has been reviewed in much detail elsewhere by the Stupp group and is therefore outside the scope of the present review 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47.…”